Chelsea dealt mixed news as defensive duo set to stay but star ready to depart
Chelsea’s defensive prowess
Chelsea’s shut-out against Leicester on Saturday lunchtime means that, one game short of 1/3 distance in the Premier League season, they have conceded just 4 goals.
It is an impressive record in any situation, made even more so by the offensive contribution that the defenders offer. Both Reece James and Ben Chilwell picked up goal involvements against the Foxes, and they currently occupy the top 2 spots in the goalscoring charts for Chelsea.
Others contribute too. Trevor Chalobah, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva have all netted for the blues from centre-back this season, with Rudiger providing the opener at the King Power.
That’s a superb glancing header from Antonio Rüdiger 🎯
The centre-back has given Chelsea the lead at the King Power!
Nothing Kasper Schmeichel could do there… pic.twitter.com/s0HpOmqzWk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 20, 2021
However, that could all change soon.
Chelsea dealt mixed defensive news
Heading into the season, Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel had their four most senior defenders all down to the last 12 months of their contracts. Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger are all, as it stands, free to leave next summer for nothing.
As per Nizaar Kinsella, of Goal.com, there is an “expectation” that both Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva will remain in west London beyond this campaign, which will come as good news to Blues fans.
Additionally, talks have allegedly resumed with Andreas Christensen, who is thought to be keen to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel wants to keep all his record breaking defenders with expiring contracts and you can see why:
– Real Madrid moving strong on Rudiger
– Expectation is Silva will stay another year, same with Azpi his two big leaders
– Christensen talks resumehttps://t.co/0HrGQG1qGR #CFC— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) November 22, 2021
The major sticking point, however, is Rudiger. As per Kinsella:
“The Germany international is keen to be rewarded with a salary that is close to what Chelsea’s attacking players earn.”
However:
“The Blues are reluctant to offer him such terms, and as such a departure on a free transfer this summer is looking ever more likely.”
For arguably the best defender in the division so far this season, this will be a bitter pill for Chelsea fans to swallow. Who will they line up to replace the German?
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